What is Bloodletting Therapy?
Bloodletting therapy is a unique acupuncture treatment method in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is one of the most commonly used therapeutic techniques since the era of the "Huangdi Neijing" (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine), which even considers bloodletting as the first choice for treating diseases and alleviating suffering.
According to the patient's specific condition, a three-edged needle or a thick, sharp needle is used to puncture certain acupuncture points or superficial blood vessels on the patient's body to release a suitable amount of blood, achieving the therapeutic purpose.
Effects of Bloodletting Therapy
**Antipyretic Effect**
In TCM, fever is mainly categorized into two types: Yang excess heat and Yin deficiency heat. The antipyretic effect of bloodletting is applicable to the former.
Since excess Yang energy leads to an abundance of blood, bloodletting can reduce this excess, thereby diminishing the evil heat in the blood vessels and normalizing the body's Qi and blood.
**Analgesic Effect**
TCM believes that "where there is flow, there is no pain; where there is pain, there is no flow." This means that diseases with pain symptoms must have blockages in their meridians.
Bloodletting therapy can directly expel the stagnant pathogenic factors from the meridians, adjusting the obstructed situation. Once the meridians are unblocked, the pain can be immediately alleviated.
In clinical practice, many acute diseases, such as acute pain, have shown rapid and effective results with bloodletting therapy.
**Detoxifying Effect**
The detoxifying effect in TCM refers to the body's inability to resist toxic evils due to pathological conditions, leading to symptoms such as "red thread sores" caused by excessive toxic fire.
Bloodletting not only expels the invading toxic evils through the blood but also plays a crucial role in "regulating blood and Qi," restoring normal bodily functions to inhibit the spread and regeneration of pathogenic evils.
**Clearing Heat Effect**
TCM posits that internal heat disturbances can lead to various diseases, often manifesting as irritability, body pain, swelling, restlessness, and even fever, confusion, etc.
Bloodletting therapy can directly expel the heat evils through the blood, making it suitable for various heat syndromes.
**Reducing Swelling Effect**
Swelling and pain are often caused by Qi stagnation and blood stasis, leading to obstruction in the meridians.
Bloodletting can directly eliminate the stagnant Qi and pathogenic factors in the local meridians, promoting unobstructed flow and achieving the goal of reducing swelling.
**Anti-Itch Effect**
Itching is a manifestation of wind evils present in the blood vessels. Therefore, the treatment principle is "treat the blood first to eliminate wind; when the blood flows, the wind will naturally disappear."
Bloodletting regulates blood and Qi, ensuring smooth blood flow and eliminating wind evils, thus achieving the effect of relieving itching.
**Relieving Numbness Effect**
Qi deficiency cannot guide blood to the extremities, or blood deficiency fails to nourish, often resulting in numbness symptoms.
Using a fine needle to puncture the acupuncture points on the affected limb can release a small amount of blood to treat numbness, guided by the theory of blood moving Qi, yielding good results.
**Anti-Nausea Effect**
Acute vomiting often belongs to excessive heat or liver Qi counterflow invading the stomach or food stagnation. Bloodletting can drain heat, pacify liver counterflow, and facilitate the downward movement of gastrointestinal stagnation, thus calming nausea and stopping vomiting.
**Anti-Diarrhea Effect**
The scope of bloodletting treatment generally refers to heat diarrhea caused by gastrointestinal stagnation or infectious pathogens causing a mix of clear and turbid symptoms.
The mechanism is to drain fire and reduce heat, achieving the effect of elevating the clear and lowering the turbid.
**Emergency Effect**
This refers to sudden fainting or convulsions where the patient is unresponsive. Bloodletting can improve blood circulation and is an effective emergency method.
**Acupuncture Points for Bloodletting**
**Heat Stroke**
1. Puncture the Zhongchong (中冲), Weizhong (委中), and Shixuan (十宣) points.
2. Puncture the Shixuan point and tap the elbow crease (Quxie) and the armpit (Weizhong) until blood stasis occurs, then puncture.
**Coma and Shock**
Puncture the Renzhong (人中) and Shixuan (十宣) points.
**Drowning**
Puncture the Renzhong (人中) and Huiyin (会阴) points.
**Carbon Monoxide Poisoning**
1. Puncture the Renzhong (人中) and Dazhui (大椎) points.
2. Apply pressure from the patient's shoulder to the Shixuan (十宣) point, then puncture.
**Food Poisoning**
First, use a three-edged needle to puncture the Sijiao (四井) points, then apply pressure from the patient's wrist to the Sijiao points to ensure sufficient bleeding until the blood color changes from dark purple to light red. For mild cases, only puncture the hand's Sijiao points; for severe cases, add punctures around the navel (Shuifen, Yinjiao, Huangshu) to a depth of 3-12mm; if blood pressure drops, and the face turns pale or cyanotic, puncture to a depth of 15mm, then use a large glass fire cupping method to cover five points, including the navel, observing for congestion.
For severe shock and unconsciousness, use a needle with a diameter of 0.7-0.9mm to puncture the Zusanli (足三里) point, inserting the needle 15mm along the outer edge of the tibia, from shallow to deep, listening for the sound of piercing the periosteum.
For severe abdominal pain and low blood pressure, simultaneously inject 0.5-1ml of atropine, apply a hot water bag to the abdomen and lower back, and drink warm water. This method is suitable for acute salt-loving bacteria food poisoning.
**Headache**
1. Puncture the Taiyang (太阳) and Baihui (百会) points.
2. Puncture the Taiyang (太阳) and Yintang (印堂) points; for frontal pain, add the Zan Zhu (攒竹) point; for vertex pain, add Baihui (百会) and Sishencong (四神聪) points; for dizziness, blurred vision, and tinnitus, add the Touwei (头维) point. Each point can release five to six drops of blood; for robust individuals with severe headaches, it can be up to ten drops, once daily or every other day for a total of ten treatments. This method is suitable for hypertension headaches.
**Common Cold**
1. Puncture the Dazhui (大椎) point, then apply fire cupping for 10-15 minutes. This method is suitable for fever without sweating.
2. Puncture the Shaoshang (少商) and Taiyang (太阳) points.
3. Wipe the Feishu (肺俞) point with alcohol until the skin turns red, then puncture.
**Cough**
Puncture the Feishu (肺俞) and Shaoshang (少商) points, then apply fire cupping for 10-15 minutes.
**Pneumonia**
Puncture the Dazhui (大椎), Shixuan (十宣), Chize (尺泽), Weizhong (委中), and Shijian (十二井) points.
**Asthma**
Use fingers to press and rub the Huagai (华盖) and Xuan Zhong (膻中) points 200 times, then puncture.
**Trigeminal Neuralgia**
Puncture the first vein behind the ear. This method is suitable for initial onset.
**Facial Nerve Paralysis**
1. Use a small eyebrow knife to cut the mucous membrane on the affected side of the mouth to induce bleeding. This method is suitable for initial patients.
2. Puncture one or two of the affected side's Xiaguan (下关), Qianzheng (牵正), Taiyang (太阳), and Yangbai (阳白) points, then apply fire cupping for 10 minutes. Repeat every three days.
**Stomach Pain**
1. Puncture the Zusanli (足三里) and Huangshu (膏肓) points.
2. Dip a hand in alcohol and tap the painful area until the skin turns red, then puncture the reddest area.
**Abdominal Pain**
1. Apply pressure from the thigh down to the Shangqiu (商丘) point, puncture to release blood, then push down to the Liyuan (厉兑) point and puncture.
2. Dip a hand in alcohol and tap the popliteal fossa until blood stasis occurs, then puncture.
**Hypochondriac Pain**
1. Use fingertips to massage the left and right sides of the chest gradually increasing in speed and pressure until the skin turns red, then find red spots to puncture or cut to release blood.
2. Puncture the Yanglingquan (阳陵泉) and Qiaoyin (窍阴) points, and puncture the painful area.
**Epilepsy**
During an epileptic seizure, urgently look for dark purple spots in the perineum and puncture to release blood.
**Low Back Pain**
1. Dip a hand in alcohol and tap the armpit until the skin turns red, then puncture the red spots.
2. Puncture the tender points, then apply fire cupping for 10 minutes. This method is suitable for chronic low back pain.
**Acute Enteritis**
Puncture the Quxie (曲泽) and Weizhong (委中) points; for vomiting, add the Jinjing (金津) and Yuye (玉液) points. This method is suitable for watery diarrhea and dehydration.
**Elephantiasis**
Puncture or puncture the Zusanli (足三里), Xuehu (下巨虚), Yanglingquan (阳陵泉), and the most swollen areas. The puncturing technique should be firm, then apply fire cupping for 5-10 minutes to release blood and water, then bandage the leg with gauze, once daily.
After puncturing, avoid contact with dirty water; do not use this method on ulcerated areas.
**Tetanus**
Puncture the Dazhui (大椎), Renzhong (人中), Taichong (太冲), and Erjian (二间) points.
**Erysipelas**
Puncture the red and swollen areas with a firm technique, then apply fire cupping for 5-10 minutes (see "Cupping" therapy) once or twice daily.
**Boils**
Puncture the Tianzong (天宗), Lingtai (灵台), Zhongshu (中枢), and Shenzhu (身柱) points, then apply fire cupping for 10-15 minutes.
**Lymphadenitis**
Rub the patient's back until red spots appear, then puncture the red spots. Once a week.
**Mastitis**
1. Puncture the Jianjing (肩井) point, then apply fire cupping for 10 minutes.
2. Search for reaction points 1.5 inches from the 5th to 7th thoracic vertebrae on the back; most patients have small red spots resembling millet. If not found, look for tender points on the same side of the affected breast, puncture three times in a row, and then apply fire cupping for 15-30 minutes.
**Hemorrhoids**
Puncture the Yinjiao (龈交) point.
**Eczema**
1. Divide the back of the ear into three equal parts; at the junction of the upper and middle third, a prominent fine blood vessel can be found, which is the bloodletting point. Use a three-edged needle to puncture towards the ear root to induce bleeding.
Depending on the location of the eczema, auxiliary points can be selected to enhance efficacy. For upper limb eczema, add Neiguan (内关) point for bloodletting; for lower limb eczema, add Sanyinjiao (三阴交) point for bloodletting; for systemic eczema, add Neiguan (内关), Sanyinjiao (三阴交) points for bloodletting, and stimulate Baihui (百会) point. Generally, a 14-day course is followed by a one-week break before the second course.
2. Puncture the affected area, then apply fire cupping for 10-15 minutes.
**Neurodermatitis**
Puncture the vein behind the ear.
**Urticaria (Hives)**
1. Puncture the small vein behind the ear.
2. Puncture the Xuehai (血海), Quchi (曲池), Sanyinjiao (三阴交), and Zusanli (足三里) points.
**Stiff Neck**
Find the tender points, then puncture, followed by fire cupping for 10-15 minutes.
**Sprains and Strains**
First, massage the affected area for a few minutes to find the tender points; then massage the corresponding area on the healthy side. When the pain in the affected area alleviates and the healthy side experiences slight pain, puncture the affected area for 3-5 minutes.
**Mumps**
1. Puncture the Hegu (合谷), Erjian (耳尖), and Baihui (百会) points.
2. Puncture the second vein behind the ear.
3. Puncture the Linpei (临沛) and Jiachao (颊车) points.
**Whooping Cough**
Puncture or puncture the Sifeng (四缝) points.
**Fever in Children**
1. Puncture the Shizidan (手十丹) point.
2. Puncture or puncture the Sifeng (四缝) points.
**Acute Convulsions**
Puncture the Renzhong (人中), Shixuan (十宣), and Yongquan (涌泉) points.
**Malnutrition**
Puncture or puncture the Sifeng (四缝) and Yujie (鱼际) points.
**Asthma in Children**
Puncture or puncture the Sifeng (四缝) points.
**Oral Ulcers in Children**
Puncture the Sifeng (四缝) points with a three-edged needle, inserting it under the skin and quickly twisting it around.
**Thrush**
Puncture the oral ulcer surface, using the blood drawn to cover the ulcer completely.
**Hordeolum (Stye)**
1. Puncture the Dazhui (大椎) point, then apply fire cupping for 10-15 minutes (see "Cupping" therapy).
2. Puncture the small vein behind the ear.
3. Puncture the point 3 inches from the 5th thoracic vertebra on the back for hordeolum, puncturing to release blood.
**Corneal Ulcer**
Puncture the ear tip and Taiyang (太阳) points, allowing the blood to drip into the affected eye.
**Pterygium**
1. Puncture the Dadun (大敦) point, then massage from the knee towards the Dadun point.
2. Puncture the Jingming (睛明) and Taiyang (太阳) points.
**Acute Conjunctivitis (Epidemic Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis)**
1. Use a smooth, blunt stick to evenly press on both earlobes to find symmetrical tender points, which often appear as small nodules the size of millet, slightly different from the surrounding skin.
If not measurable, use the eye area of both earlobes instead, puncturing and gently squeezing to release blood, with 3-5 drops per point, 7-8 drops for severe cases, and 10 drops for extremely severe cases. If redness and swelling are severe, with chills and fever, add puncturing at the Taiyang (太阳) point;
If the eyeball is particularly red and swollen, with unbearable pain, and the sclera shows point-like hemorrhages, add puncturing at the Zan Zhu (攒竹) point, while using 0.25% chloramphenicol eye drops, three or four times daily.
2. Puncture the ear tip and puncture the small vein behind the ear.
**Acute Tonsillitis**
1. Puncture the Shaoshang (少商), Shangyang (商阳), and Guanchong (关冲) points, combined with fine needle acupuncture at Tianrong (天容), Hegu (合谷), or Neiting (内庭), Quchi (曲池) points.
2. Puncture the Shaoshang (少商), Shangyang (商阳), Chize (尺泽), and Quchi (曲池) points.
3. Puncture the ear tip and puncture the small vein behind the ear.
**Toothache**
1. Puncture the Lieque (列缺) point, then massage for 15 minutes.
2. Puncture the small vein behind the ear.
3. Puncture the Shangyang (商阳) and Xiaguan (下关) points, then apply fire cupping for 5-10 minutes at the Xiaguan point.
**Dizziness**
Use the cutting method. Disinfect the small vein behind the ear with an alcohol cotton ball, then use a razor blade to cut, releasing blood, and then apply a bandage.
**Chronic Dermatitis**
Use the cutting method. In the groove between the ear ridge and auricle, there are small blood vessels; disinfect the area, use a disinfected razor blade to cut and release blood, then apply a bandage over the cut, repeating every 20-30 days, as chronic dermatitis may require multiple cuts.
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